By Chalien Dantes

Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr has stirred up plenty of conversation during his offseason media tour, particularly with comments that hinted at uncertainty about how much longer he plans to play basketball. But according to Porter, it’s less about quitting the game and more about staying grounded through the grind.

Known for battling through a string of serious back injuries early in his career, including three surgeries between 2018 and 2021, Porter missed his entire rookie season and appeared in just nine games during the 2021-22 campaign. But over the last two seasons, the 27-year-old has flipped the script, emerging as one of the most durable players on the Denver Nuggets roster before his recent move to Brooklyn.

“Basketball is my passion. I want to play as long as I can,” Porter explained on Wednesday, clarifying his earlier remarks. “It’s just easier in my head to say, ‘Give it my all this year,’ and then reevaluate at the end. But deep down, I obviously want to keep playing as long as my body allows.”

He added that, aside from a freak shoulder injury during the playoffs, he felt solid throughout last season, handling the demands of an 82-game schedule with little issue. “I think I played the most games on Denver,” he noted, pointing to his steady presence on the court despite his rocky start in the league.

Porter’s comments seem less like an early retirement warning and more like a reflection of someone who’s learned to take nothing for granted, a mindset shaped by years of rehab, setbacks, and eventual resurgence. As he joins the Nets, he’s focused on the season ahead while keeping one eye on the bigger picture.